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If we follow sin to the end we are pair with Christ executioners. But if we choose to follow Christ we repent and are forgiven for the life of sin we have led before. If we had never heard of Christ then man's ignorance is taken into account by God, which can be learned from common sense, that if a man lives with good will and leads a life of virtue, he is essentially Christian in the true context of the label.
Originally posted by MagnificentTongue
Seems like Atheists don't know themselves too well. The mere fact that they continue calling themselves Atheists is enough to tell you that they're not really too familiar with their own leaders positions and thoughts on the matter. I say this, because those men and women in academia who are the go-to people for info/ammo for Atheists to use, openly admit that they are in fact "Agnostics". There is no such thing as an intellectually or philosophically fit "Atheist". If you call yourself an Atheist, you are essentially saying that you can prove there is no God. Well, your leaders don't even say that, because they know it is ridiculous. God cannot be disproven.
“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
That Which Separated (Divided) somethingness from nothingness, when all there was was nothingness (which never existed, technically). God is the Law Maker, the Promise Keeper, incapable of contradicting himself, and ultimately, the Origin and Ultimate Result of Logic.
No, Roman Catholicism and Christianity are not the same thing. Christianity is properly defined by certain doctrines that are revealed in the Bible. It is not defined by simply saying that as long as you believe in Jesus, you're a Christian. Mormons believe in Jesus, but their Jesus is a brother of the devil in the pre-existence. The Jesus of the Jehovah's Witnesses is Michael the Archangel. So, just saying you believe in Jesus doesn't make you a Christian. This is why the Bible tells us who Jesus really is, God in flesh, creator of the universe. Likewise, there are essential doctrines, and if any of those essential doctrines are violated, then a church would only appear to be Christian but not really be Christian. What are those doctrines? The Bible tells us. Let's take a look.
1. There is only one God and you are to serve no other gods (Exodus 20:3; Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8).
2. Jesus is both God and man (John 1:1,14; 8:24; Col. 2:9; 1 John 4:1-4).
3. Jesus rose from the dead physically (John 2:19-21; 1 Cor. 15:14).
4. Salvation is by grace through faith (Rom. 5:1; Eph. 2:8-9; Gal. 3:1-2; 5:1-4).
5. The gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus according to the scriptures (1 Cor. 15:1-4; Gal. 1:8-9).
6. God is a Trinity (Matt. 28:19; 1 Cor. 12:4-6; 2 Cor. 13:14).
7. Jesus was born of the virgin Mary (Matt. 1:25).
So, someone who is a true Christian will believe these things and not violate them. Roman Catholicism violates two of them (#1 and #4). First of all, by its practice of promoting Mary (and the Saints) to the level of God-like capabilities, they break the commandment to have no other gods before the true and living God. In Roman Catholicism, they say that Mary is the mediatrix (Catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 969); Mary made atonement for the sins of man (Fundamentals of Catholic Dogma, page 213); Mary is the subject of preaching and worship (Vatican Council II, p. 420); etc.
Also, Catholicism violates the biblical doctrine of salvation by grace through faith alone. Paul the apostle, for example, tells us in Romans 4:5, "But to the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness." But Roman Catholicism denies that and says, "...so that all men may attain salvation through faith, Baptism and the observance of the Commandments," (CCC, par 2068). Also, consider this:
"If any one saith, that by faith alone the impious is justified; in such wise as to mean, that nothing else is required to co-operate in order to the obtaining the grace of Justification, and that it is not in any way necessary, that he be prepared and disposed by the movement of his own will; let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, Canons on Justification, Canon 9).
So, even though Roman Catholicism claims to be Christian and that it is the one true church, it violates the essentials of the Christian faith. It goes beyond what is written in God's word (1 Cor. 4:6). It denies the sole and true sovereignty of the living God by promoting prayer to and the worship of Mary. Also, it denies justification by faith alone in Christ alone. It is not a Christian church.
reply to post by MagnificentTongue
One of the big questions people seem to have about Salvation, is "How?"....
Let's examine the factors involved.
First, no impurity can enter Heaven.
Originally posted by jiggerj
reply to post by MagnificentTongue
One of the big questions people seem to have about Salvation, is "How?"....
Let's examine the factors involved.
First, no impurity can enter Heaven.
My big question is: How can anyone claim to know anything about the rules set up by their god? How do YOU know that no impurity can enter heaven? Who told you this? One sin out of a lifetime of good works and we're trashed. Does this sound like a god you want to worship?
Even we humans are more merciful than this when considering the fact that even a murderer can pay his dues to society and be released from prison after serving 25 years or so. But, if you're not sorry for being broke and stealing that can of beans to feed your kids and it's eternal damnation for you!
Your premise is not only unknowable for a human, it is also illogical that an all-merciful god would do this.
I can't just step in and have my hand cut off without your knowledge and acceptance, and count that as having paid your penalty. Also, numbers play a part here. If you stole two loaves of bread and the punishment is then to have two hands cut off, to intercede fully, I would have to offer up both my hands to be cut off for yours. What happens then if you stole 3? I cannot step in and have 3 hands cut off. I only have 2. You only have 2 as well, so I don't know how they would handle that...but I hope you're getting the gist of this.. On Earth and in heaven, the punishments are mathematically linked. One for One. What then can I do if the total punishment for your crime is death? I would then have to give my life to intercede for yours.
Originally posted by imawlinn
I cannot wrap my head around religious people. Every day they praise their "god" for the good things that happen in their lives while making excuses for the bad things. Such as: it's god plan, or god needed him/ her in heavan etc. This to me shows a lack of intelligence on the believers part.
Question: If you (believers) had not been "taught" about god or religion, with all the scare tactics and being forced to go to church, what would your beliefs be?
edit on 5-1-2013 by imawlinn because: (no reason given)
Originally posted by jiggerj
My big question is: How can anyone claim to know anything about the rules set up by their god? How do YOU know that no impurity can enter heaven?